PM Atmanirbhar Swasth Bharat Yojana was announced by the central government in the Union Budget 2021-22 presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on 1 February 2021. The scheme was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 25 October 2021 with an outlay of Rs 64,180 crore over six years.
The scheme has now been renamed as PM Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM). It works as an addition to the National Health Mission and is one of the largest pan-India schemes for building strong public health infrastructure across the country.
PM Atmanirbhar Swasth Bharat Yojana Launch
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the PM Atmanirbhar Swasth Bharat Yojana in Varanasi on 25 October 2021. The scheme got cabinet approval in September 2021 after being announced in the Union Budget 2021-22. It is one of the largest pan-India schemes for strengthening healthcare infrastructure.
The scheme has been renamed as PM Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM). The measures under the scheme focus on developing capacities of health systems and institutions across primary, secondary and tertiary levels of care, and on preparing the health system to respond well to current and future pandemics and disasters.
Objective of PM Atmanirbhar Swasth Bharat Yojana
The main aim of the scheme is to fill critical gaps in health infrastructure, surveillance and health research in both urban and rural areas. This helps communities manage pandemics and other public health crises in a better way.
Benefits of PM Atmanirbhar Swasth Bharat Yojana
The scheme helps in the following areas:
- Developing capacities of primary, secondary and tertiary care health systems
- Strengthening existing health institutions
- Creating new institutions to detect new diseases
- Setting up institutions for treatment of new and emerging diseases
The scheme is an addition to the National Health Mission launched earlier. It also builds on the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana to improve health services for eligible families.
Components of PM-ABHIM
The scheme has centrally sponsored and central sector components. Under the centrally sponsored component, support is given to states and union territories for the following:
- Construction of 17,788 building-less sub-centres as Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs)
- Establishment of 11,024 urban health and wellness centres (AAMs) in slum and slum-like areas
- Establishment of 3,382 block public health units (BPHUs) at the block level
- Establishment of 730 district integrated public health labs, one in each district
- Establishing 602 critical care hospital blocks in districts with population above 5 lakh
As per the latest update from March 2026, administrative approvals worth Rs 32,928.82 crore have been given to states and union territories for 9,519 AAMs, 5,456 urban AAMs, 2,151 BPHUs, 744 integrated public health labs and 621 critical care blocks.
Highlights of PM Atmanirbhar Swasth Bharat Yojana
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | PM Atmanirbhar Swasth Bharat Yojana (PM-ABHIM) |
| Announced By | Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Union Budget 2021-22 |
| Launched By | Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 25 October 2021 |
| Scheme Outlay | Rs 64,180 crore over six years (2021-22 to 2025-26) |
| Beneficiaries | People across all states and union territories |
| Official Website | swasthbharat.mohfw.gov.in |
Health Infrastructure Development
The scheme focuses on building a strong health system that can handle future health emergencies. It strengthens primary, secondary and tertiary care services and improves disease surveillance, diagnostics and research for emerging diseases.
The scheme also supports research on COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. It helps build the One Health approach to prevent, detect and respond to disease outbreaks in animals and humans. The scheme period runs from 2021-22 to 2025-26.
FAQ's
What is PM Atmanirbhar Swasth Bharat Yojana?
It is a central government scheme announced in the Union Budget 2021-22 and launched on 25 October 2021 to strengthen public health infrastructure across India. The scheme has now been renamed as PM Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM).
Who launched the scheme?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the scheme in Varanasi on 25 October 2021. The scheme was announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Union Budget 2021-22.
What is the outlay of the scheme?
The scheme has an outlay of about Rs 64,180 crore over six years, from 2021-22 to 2025-26.
Is the scheme still running?
The scheme has been renamed as PM Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM). The scheme period runs from 2021-22 to 2025-26, and the government continues to review its progress.
Source / Reference Link: PIB update on PM-ABHIM, PIB on PM-ABHIM rename, PIB explainer on PM-ABHIM